Evaluation of some technological properties of Caucasian ram wool

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the study was to establish the levels of the main selection traits which determine the technological wool production in the rams from the breed of Caucasian merino sheep. The study included a total of 126 rams at 18 months of age from Caucasian merino breed. To determine the fibre diameter, a total of 252 wool samples from two parts of the body (sideandleg) were analyzed.For laboratory examination of staple lengt handcrimp of wool, a total 36 wool samples (from the side and the leg) were studied. The rams from Caucasian breed had a very good topographic equality of fiber thickness and staple length. The average fiber diameter of the side was 21.98μm (with variation from 21.71μm to 22.30 μm) and the leg was 23.05μm (with variation from 22.76μm to 23.34μm).The wool`s fineness in the fleecewas 64’s quality in 76.98% of the samples, which characterized it as a fine merinowool.The number of crimps per 1 cm in the rams was an average of 5.07 nrs. on the side and 4.46 nrs. on the leg and in the rams at 18 months of age – 5.26 nrs. and 4.82 nrs., respectively.

Keywords

• Caucasian breed
• merino wool
• fibre diameter
• staple length
• crimp of wool